Wire forming machine



Sept. 4, 1962 w. voGT WIRE FORMING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March4, 1959 INVENTOR.

WERNER VOGT ATTORNEYS Sept. 4, 1962 W. voGT 3,052,392

WIRE FORMING MACHINE Filed March 4, 1959 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 IIG 0 /eo FIG-w- MTI.

'20m2 IML I I.- 'Il ATTORNEYS Sept. 4, 1962 w. voGT WIRE FORMING MACHINE3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed March 4, 1959 F IGT FIG. 8

FIG.

FIG. IO

Hung

INVENTOR.

WERNER VOGT ATTORNEYS United States Patent Gice 3,052,392 Patented Sept.4, 1952 3,052,392 WERE EURE/11N@ MACHYLNE Werner Vogt, Torrington,Conn., assigner to The Torrington Manufacturing Company, Torrington,Conn., a corporation of Connecticut Filled Mar. 4, 1959, Ser. No.797,158 6 Ciaims. (Ci. 226-465) This invention relates to a cyclicallyoperable machine for bending and otherwise forming various types of wireand, more particularly, to an improved automatic feed mechanismparticularly adapted for use therewith.

Wire forming machines have been equipped with various types of automaticwire feeding mechanisms in the past. In the design of such mechanisms,it has been a conventional practice to provide for a mode of operationwherein feeding of a desired length of -wire to the machine formingmechanism is accomplished during 180 of each 360 machine cycle, formingof the wire being accomplished during the remaining 180 of each cycle.lt will be apparent that in the case of certain Wire forming operations,substantial advantages are to be obtained from the provision of a wirefeeding mechanism adapted to feed wire within fractional parts of amachine cycle less than 180. For example, certain relatively complexwire forming operations may be accomplished much more readily within the270 of forming time afforded by a 90 wire feeding operation than withinthe 180 of forming time afforded by a 180 wire feeding operation.

The present invention has as its general object the provision of animproved automatic :feed mechanism particularly adapted for use with acyclically operable wire forming machine, which mechanism is operableselectively to feed a length of Wire to a forming mechanism in themachine within any one of two or more different fractional parts of themachine cycle, and which mechanism is constructed and arranged so thatconversion from one mode of operation thereof to another may beaccomplished readily and with a minimum loss in operating time of thewire forming machine.

The drawings show a preferred embodiment of the invention and suchembodiment will be described, but it wiil be understood that variouschanges may be made from the construction disclosed, and that thedrawings and description are not to be construed as defining or limitingthe scope of the invention, the claims forming a part of thisspecification being relied upon yfor that purpose.

Of the drawings:

FIG. l is a front view of a wire forming machine equipped with theimproved automatic feed mechanism of the present invention.

FiG. 2 is an enlarged left-hand side elevation of the feed mechanism.

FIG. 3 is a chart depicting the several modes of operation oi the feedmechanism.

FlG. 4 is an enlarged front View in elevation of the feed mechanism.

FiG. 5 is an enlarged right-hand side elevation thereof.

FiG. 6 is a longitudinal transverse section of a portion of the feedmechanism taken as indicated by the lines 6 6 in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section of the feedmechanism taken as indicated -by the lines 7-7 in FIG. 4.

FiG. 8 is a side elevation of an actuating cam for a wire grippingdevice included in the feed mechanism.

FiG. 9 is a side elevation of another actuating cam for the wiregripping device.

FIG. l0 is a front elevation of an actuating cam for a wire holdingdevice included in the feed mechanism.

FIG. 1l is a side elevation of the actuating cam of FIG. 10.

The wire forming machine to be described is adapted to accommodate wireof various types. That is, both the wire forming and wire feedingmechanisms of the machine are adapted to handle wire having variouscrossectional shapes. Accordingly, the term Wire is used throughout thedescription and the claims which follow in its broad sense and refers toa thread or slender rod of metal of any cross-sectional shape, such asround, square, triangular, dat or irregular.

The wire forming machine shown in FIG. l is of the four-slide type, theforming mechanism thereof comprising four slides 10, 11, 12 and `13disposed in a hub-spoke arrangement about a central form 1d. The severalslides are preferably movable in a vertical plane, as shown, and formingtools are provided on the contiguous ends thereof. Suitable cams movethe several slides inwardly in timed relation with each other, the toolsthereon cooperating with the central form 14tto provide a Wire productof a desired shape and form. Also included in the forming mechanism is acam actuated vertical cut-off device 15 which is disposed at the left ofthe slide 10.

Two cam or eccentric actuated vertical presses 16, 16 are shown as beingincluded in the forming mechanism of the machine, but the provision ofsuch presses is optional. The presses when provided may be usedcooperatively with the several slides 10, 11, 12 `and 13 or they may `beused independently of said slides. Said presses are most advantageouslyused in the forming of flat stock.

The forming mechanism of the wire forming machine is operable in fixedcycles. While the details of the operating means therefor may be widelyvaried, the orm-" ing machine is shown as including an electric motor 18which supplies power for operating the forming mechanism. The motor 18is supported on a main frame 19 of the machine and turns a counter shaft20 through a belt drive indicated generally at 22. The counter shaft 20is suitably journaled in the machine frame 19 and carries at one end agear 2d which drives a gear 26 secured on a lower horizontallongitudinally extending carnshaft 28. The camshaft 2&5 also carries acam which is indicated generally at Si? and which actuates the lowervertically movable slide 12.

At the ends of the lower horizontal lcamshaft 28, there are xedlymounted bevel gears 32, 32. The bevel gears 32, 32 respectively drive abevel gear 3d secured on the lower end of a left-hand vertical camshaft326 and a bevel gear 3S secured on the lower end of a right-handvertical camshaft 40. The left and right-hand vertical camshafts 36 and40 are suitably journaled in the main frame 19 of the machine and eachof said shafts `carries a cam, said cams being indicated generally at4t2 and 44 respectively. The cam 4t2 on the left-hand vertical shaft 36actuates the left-hand horizontally movable forming slide 13 and the cam4d on `the right-hand vertical shaft 40 is similarly operativelyassociated with the right-hand horizontally movable forming slide 11.

At the upper end of `the right-hand shaft 40, there is secured a bevelgear d6. The gear 46 drives a bevel gear 4S secured at the right-handend of an upper horizontal longitudinally extending camshaft 50. Thecamshaft 50 carries two cams, indicated generally at 52 and 54, whichrespectively actuate the upper vertically movable forming slide 10 andthe cut-off device 1S. When there are two vertical forming presses 1o,16 included in the machine forming mechanism, there are two additionalcams or two eccentrics 56 and 5S on said shaft 50 for operating thepresses.

The upper horizontal longitudinally extending camshaft 50 also serves asa rotary driving means for the improved 3 automatic feed mechanism towhich the present invention more particularly relates. The saidmechanism is shown mounted on the main frame i9 at the left-hand endportion of the forming machine and is indicated generally by thereference numeral et?. As will be described more fully hereinafter, allof the component parts of the feed mechanism 60 are supported on asecondary or feed mechanism frame which includes two principal framemembers each adapted to be detachably connected to the main frame 19 ofthe wire forming machine. As a result of the manner in which themechanism parts are supported on the two frame members, said mechanismmay be readily removed from or incorporated `in the wire forming machineas a unitary assembly or in two parts.

The provision of a feed mechanism adapted to be readily removed from orincorporated in the forming machine is particularly advantageous whenthe forming presses f6, 16 are included in the machine. When saidpresses are included in the forming machine, they may be detachablymounted on the machine frame so as to be readily removed from themachine by effecting relative longitudinal movement thereof toward theleft-hand end of the machine. Thus, removal of the feed mechanism dfimay be a prerequisite to removal of the presses i6, 16. it will beapparent that when feed mechanism removal is a prerequisite to pressremoval, the provision of a feed mechanism which may be quickly andeasily removed from and re-incorporated in the forming machine willsubstantially reduce the losses in machine operating time which areoccasioned by the removal or incorporation of the forming presses.

The automatic feed mechanism 60 draws a continuous strand of wirethrough a wire straightener, indicated generally at 62, and feeds thewire longitudinally toward the aforedescribed forming mechanism.Generally, the feed mechanism 66 ycomprises a longitudinallyreciprocable slide 64 which carries a wire gripping device 66. Thegripping device 66 is operable to feed the wire a predetermined distanceinto the wire forming mechanism during some or all forward movements ofthe slide During rearward movements of `the slide, the gripping device66 is inoperable and it releases the wire and passes idly thereover.Also included in the feed'mechanism and connected with the slide 64 indriving relationship is a means for `converting rotary motion toreciprocatory motion. In the preferred embodiment of the inventionshown, the motion converting means comprises a lever 68 which isconnected with and drives the reciprocable slide 64. The lever 68 isoscillated by a crank '70 which drives said lever through a connectingrod 72. The crank 70 is rotatably driven by the upper horizontalcamshaft 5t? in a manner described hereinbelow and each rotation of saidcrank effects one complete forward and rearward reciprocation of theslide 64.

In accordance with the invention, the feed mechanism 60 includes a firstrotatable shaft which is connected with the wire forming mechanism tomake one rotation during each machine cycle. As previously mentioned,the camshaft Sf drives the feed mechanism 60 in the embodiment of theinvention shown and as will be observed in FEiG. l the shaft 50 isextended longitudinally leftwardly from the forming mechanism of themachine and constitutes said first rotatable shaft of the feedmechanism. Obviously, the shaft 50 could be connected in end-to-enddriving relationship with a separate shaft included in the feedmechanism 6% in an equivalent alternative construction.

A second rotatable shaft 76 included in the feed mechanism 60 is drivenby the first rotatable shaft 50 and is disposed adjacent the motionconverting means comprising the oscillable lever 68, the crank 70 andthe connecting rod 72. The second shaft '76 is connected with and drivesthe motion converting means and, more specifically, said second shaftdrives the crank 7 tl of said motion converting means at a one-to-oneratio.

in further accord with the present invention, the driving connectionbetween the first and second shafts 5d and '76 is eected by changegears. The change gears are adapted to selectively effect one rotationor an integral plurality of rotations of the second shaft during eachrotation of the first shaft or during each machine cycle. Since thecrank 70 is driven by the second shaft 76 at a one-to-one ratio andsince one rotation of said crank effects one complete reciprocation ofthe slide 64, it will be seen that when the shaft 7 6 is rotated onceduring each machine cycle the slide 64 will be reciprocated once.Similarly, when an integral plurality of rotations of the second shaft76 are effected during each machine cycle, a like plurality of slidereciprocations will be effected during each machine cycle.

From the foregoing, it will be apparent that if the wire gripping devicead which is carried by the slide 64 is caused to grip the wire inproperly timed relation with the reciprocable movement of said slide,wire feeding to the machine forming mechanism may be effectedselectively within any one of several different fractional parts of themachine cycle. if, for example, the shafts Sil and '76 are connected bychange gears which effect one reciprocation of the slide 64 during eachmachine cycle and if the gripping device 66 effects wire feeding duringall forward slide movements, a 180 wire feeding operation, as indicatedby the line 77 on the chart of FlG. 3, will be provided. If, on theother hand, the first and second shafts Stl and 76 are connected bychange gears which effect two slide reciprocations during each machinecycle and if the wire gripping device effects wire feeding during allforward slide movements, Wire will be fed to the machine formingmechanism during each of two spaced apart portions of each machinecycle. The line 79 on the chart of FIG. 3 depicts this mode of feedmechanism operation. In an additional example, assume that two slidereciprocations are effected during each machine cycle -but that thegripping device ed effects Wire feeding during every other forward slidemovement rather than during all forward slide movements. It will be seenthat, in this instance, the single 90 feed operation indicated tby theline 81 on the chart of FIG. 3 will be provided.

While the great majority of wire forming operations may be accomplishedreadily and efficiently with either the mode of feed mechanism operationrepresented by the chart line 77 or the mode of operation represented bythe chart line 81, said two modes of operation being thereforeconsidered of primary importance, the mode of operation represented bythe chart line 79 is particularly well suited to a limited number ofspecial forming operations and is therefore of substantial importance.Thus, `although the invention is not so limited, the automatic feedmechanism which is shown in the drawings and which constitutes thepresently preferred embodiment of the invention is adapted to beoperable selectively in accordance with any one of the three differentoperational modes described above. Change gears are provided foreffecting one or two rotations of the second shaft 76 during eachrotation of the first shaft 50. Actuating means for the wire grippingdevice 66 is also provided and said means is operable selectively tocause the gripping device to effect wire feeding in each of the mannersdescribed above. As will become apparent from the detailed descriptionwhich follows, the change gears and actuating means are constructed andadapted to cooperate with the other feed mechanism components in amanner which permits conversion from one mode of feed mechanismoperation to another to be readily accomplished. As a result, the lossesin operating time of the forming machine which are occasioned by 4suchconversions are reduced to a minimum and substantial cost savings areobtained.

The shaft 5@ is journaled near its left-hand end in a bearing 7 S in afirst frame member Sti of the feed mechanism with its left-hand endportion exposed at the left of said bearing and frame member. The framemember 80 in which the shaft 5t) is supported in the bearing 78 isdetachably connected to and supported on the main machine frame 19. Asbest illustrated in FIG. 5, a longitudinally extending groove 85 formedin `an upwardly exposed surface of the main frame 19 slidably receives aguide bar 87 which is secured to the frame member 80 by suitable screwsS9, S9. Additional screws 91, 91 rigidly connect the frame member 80 tothe upwardly exposed surface of the main machine frame 19. When it isdesired to detach the frame member S from `the machine frame 19, thescrews 91, 91 are removed and relative longitudinal movement betweensaid member and frame is effected to slide the guide bar 87 leftwardlyand out of the groove 85.

The second rotatable shaft 76 is disposed in parallel relationship withthe first shaft 59 in accordance with the invention. Thus, when saidfirst shaft extends longitudinally in a horizontal plane, as shown, saidsecond shaft is similarly disposed. As shown, the second shaft 76 issupported in a housing 86 by ball bearing units 8S, 88, best illustratedin FIG. 6. The left-hand end portion of the shaft is exposed adjacentthe exposed left-hand end portion of the first shaft S0.

The housing 86 in which the second shaft 76 is supported is formedintegrally on a second frame member 93 of the feed mechanism. The member93 is detachably connected to and supported on the machine frame 19, theconnection of said frame member with the machine frame 19 being similarto that of the member 89 with said machine frame. As best illustrated inFIG. 5, two longitudinally extending T-shaped grooves 95, 95 formed in avertical surface of the machine frame 19 respectively receive twoT-shaped guide bars 97, 97 which are secured to the member 93 bysuitable screws 99, 99. @ne or more of the screws 99, 99 may be extendedthrough its associated guide bar and into the machine frame 19 forrigidly connecting the member 93 to said machine frame. When it isdesired to detach the frame member 93 from the machine frame 19, saidone or more screws is retracted from the machine frame and relativelongitudinal movement is effected between the member 93 and the frame 19to slide the bars 97, 97 leftwardly and out of the grooves 95, 95.

The manner in which the driving connection between the first and secondshafts i) and 76 is effected by change gears may be varied widely withinthe scope of the invention. There may, for example, be several gearsmounted on each of the shafts Stl and 76 and a shifting means may beprovided whereby sets of gears may be engaged selectively to providedifferent driving ratios. 'Ihe presently preferred practice, however, isto provide several sets of gears each of which sets comprises two gearsadapted to be detachably mounted respectively on the adjacent exposedends of the rst and second shafts 59 and 76. The sets of gears arerespectively adapted to effect different driving ratios between theshafts 50 and 76. To effect a desired driving ratio between said shafts,two suitable gears are mounted respectively on the exposed ends thereof.When it is desired to effect a different driving ratio between theshafts, the two gears are detached from the ends thereof and arereplaced by another set of two gears adapted to provide said differentdriving ratio.

As mentioned above, two sets of change gears respectively havingone-to-one and two-to-one driving ratios are provided in the feedmechanism shown in the drawings. First and second companion spur gears92, 92 which constitute the rst set of change gears are shown mountedrespectively on the adjacent exposed ends of the shafts 50 and 76. Thegears 92, 92 effect one rotation of the second shaft 76 during eachrotation of the first shaft 50 and are utilized when the mode of feedmechanism operation depicted by the line 77 on the chart of FIG. 3 isdesired. The second set of change gears comprises third and fourthcompanion spur gears which effect two rotations of the second shaft 76during each rotation of the first shaft 5t) when they are mountedrespectively on the exposed ends of the shafts 50 and 76 in place of thegears 92, 92. Said third and fourth gears are shown in FIG. 2 of thedrawings as broken line circles 94 and 96, the said circles indicatingthe peripheries of the gears when they are mounted respectively on saidshafts. The third and fourth gears are mounted on the shafts 59 and 76when it is desired that the feed mechanism operate in accordance withthe line '79v or in accordance with the line 81 on the chart of FIG. 3.

The connection between the second rotatable shaft 76 and the crank 70 ofthe aforementioned motion converting means is preferably effected asdescribed hereinbelow with particular reference to FIG. 6. At itsright-hand end the shaft 76 is adapted to rotatably drive a transverselyextending crankshaft 98 through a `bevel gear connection. The crankshaft98 extends in a horizontal plane and is journaled in ball bearing units109, 199 which are supported in the housing 86. On one end of thecrankshaft 98 there is mounted a bevel gear 192 which is driven by abevel gear 104 carried on the right-hand end of the second shaft 76. Thecrank 741 is formed integrally at the other end of the crankshaft 9S andextends therefrom radially in a vertical plane.

The crank 70 is shown as having attached thereto one end of theconnecting rod 72, the other end of said rod being attached to the lever`68 which reciprocally moves the slide v64e. A crankpin 195 is journaledin a suitable bearing 196 at one end of the rod 72 and has a dove-tailedenlargement 107 formed integrally at an end portion thereof. Thedove-tailed enlargement y107 of the pin is slidably held in acomplementary dovetailed slot 168 which extends lengthwise in the crank79. An adjusting bolt 169, best shown in FIG. 4, secures the crankpin105 in selected positions along the slot 198. Thus, said one end of theconnecting rod 72 may be connected to the crank 70 at selected positionsof eccentricity relative to the axis of the `crankshaft 98. The otherend of the connecting rod 72 is pivotally connected between the ends ofthe lever `68 by a pin 110x As best illustrated in FIG. 2, the lever 63is suspended `from a pivot pin 112 for oscillation in a vertical plane.The pin 1112 extends through a suitable opening 113 in the -upper end ofthe lever 63 and has its ends journaled respectively in bearings 114,114. The bearings 11d, 114 are supported in an overhanging portion 116of the `frame member 80. The lower end of the lever 68 is connected tothe reciprocable slide 64 by an adjusting link 118.

As best illustrated in FIG. 4, the adjusting link 11S is pivotallyconnected to the lever 63 and the slide 64. Pivot pins and .122respectively connect the link 113 to said lever and slide. Severalopenings 12d, 124 in the link 1.18 are each adapted to receive the pin126 to permit a rough adjustment of the distance between the lower endof the lever 63 and the slide 64. Fine adjustments of said distance maybe achieved by means of a variable length coupling 126 which forms apart yof said adjusting link.

The construction of the reciprocable slide 64 and the manner in whichthe operative connection thereof with other feed mechanism components iseffected may be varied widely. As shown, the slide `64 is supported forlongitudinal movement toward and away from the machine forming mechanismon a longitudinally extending dove-tailed guide and support bar 128. Theguide and support bar 128 is secured to a lower portion of the feedmechanism frame member 93 by suitable screws 139, 130, only one of whichis shown. As best illustrated in FIG. 2, a dove-tailed recess 132 formedin a rear portion of the slide 64, which recess is partially defined bya removable slide member 134, receives and approximately lits the guideand support bar 128. At each end portion of the bar 128, there isprovided a longitudinally adjustable stop 136. Each of the stops 136,136 carries abbassa a pin 13S which extends longitudinally therefrom.The pins 138, 13S engage similar pins 141?, 14@ which projectlongitudinally respectively from opposite sides of the slide `64 tolimit the travel of said slide along the guide and support bar 12%.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that the length of the forward andrearward movements or strokes of the slide 64 will be determined by theeccentricity of the end of the rod '72 relative to the axis of thecrankshaft 98 and by the relative positions of the adjustable stops 136,136 along the support and guide bar 1213. 'The reference or startingpoint for the slide movements or strokes, on the other hand, will bedetermined by the adjusted length of the link 118.

The wire gripping device 66 which is carried by the reciprocable slide6d and the actuating means for said device may take various forms withinthe scope of the invention. There may be provided, for example, arelatively simple device comprising a pair of pivotally supportedgripping jaws `or blocks and the actuating means may comprise suitablesprings or the like for biasing the jaws or blocks in one directionabout their pivots so that they engage and feed wire when movedtherealong in one direction and so that they slide idly yover the wirewhen moved therealong in an opposite direction. lt will be apparent thatwhen a wire gripping device and actuating means of such type isprovided, wire feeding will be effected during all forward slidemovements.

In accordance with presently preferred practice, there is provided asomewhat more complex wire gripping device and actuating means whereby ahigh degree of wire gripping and releasing efficiency is achieved. Inaddition, the wire gripping device and actuating means are adapted toselectively effect wire feeding during all forward slide movements orduring every other forward slide movement.

The actuating means comprises, in preferred form, three cam means whichare useable selectively. Said three cam means may be operated in variousmanners, but are preferably each adapted to be detachably mounted on anddriven by the rst rotatable shaft 51B independently of the secondrotatable shaft 76. Each of the three cam means, when mounted on theshaft 511, cooperates with additional components of the actuating meansto cause the wire gripping `device to grip and release the wire in timedrelation with movement of the slide 50. When it is desired to convertfrom one mode of feed mechanism operation to another, one cam means isremoved from the shaft 50 and another cam means is mounted on saidshaft.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7, the gripping device 66 comprises,in preferred form, a xed lower wire gripping member 142 and atransversely movable upper wire gripping member 144. The fixed wiregripping member 142 is secured in a suitable recess 146 formed in alower portion of the slide 64 by a screw 14S which extends therethroughand into said slide lower portion and by an abutment bolt 156.

The movable wire gripping member 144 is iixedly mounted on the body of asmall T-shaped slide member 152 by means of a retaining screw 154. TheT-shaped slide member 152 is guided for vertical movement between thewalls of a recess 156 formed in the slide 64 and a cover plate 158secured to the slide 64 by the screws 160, 160. Two small springs 162,162 disposed behind the cover plate 158 respectively engage oppositelyextending arms of the T-shaped slide member 152 and bias the said memberand the gripping member 144 mounted thereon upwardly and away from thewire.

First and second components of the actuating means which cooperate witheach of the several cam means are a toggle lever 1164 and a floatingtoggle link 166. The toggle lever 164 is shown pivotally supported foroscillation in a Vertical plane on a pin 168. The pin 8 163 extendsthrough the lever 164 and has its ends journaled in suitable bosses 169,169 on the slide 64. A screw 176 which is adapted to be turned manuallyextends through the toggle lever 164 and engages the slide 64 to limitoscillation of said lever about its pivot in the counterclockwisedirection.

The oating toggle link 166 connects the toggle lever 164i with theT-shaped slide member 152. Partially spherical enlargements 172, 172formed at opposite ends of the link 166 are respectively received in adetent 174 formed in the bottom surface of the toggle lever 164 and in adetent 176 formed in the top surface of the T- shaped member 152. Itwill be seen that oscillation of the toggle lever 161i about its pivot168 will cause the slide member 152 and the gripping member 144 to bereciprocated in a vertical plane by the floating link 166. The grippingmember 144.'- is thus caused to grip and release wire extending acrossthe fixed member 142. it

will be further seen that downward and wire gripping movement of themember 144 will be limited by the screw 171i which limitscounterclockwise movement of the toggle lever 164 about the pin 16S.

Another component of the preferred `actuating means is a lever 178 whichis oscillated in a vertical plane by the above referred to cam means andwhich, in turn, oscillates the toggle lever 164. The lever 17 8 isfulcrummed on a pin 181i which is supported at its ends in the housing86 as best illustrated in FIG. 6. A longitudinally extending bar 182which has a bead 184 formed along its lower edge is attached to thelower end of the lever 17S by suitable screws 136, 136. Formed in theupwardly exposed portion of the toggle lever 164 is a longitudinallyextending groove 183 adapted to receive and lit the bead 184. The bar182 is of sutlicient length to insure that the bead 184y thereon willremain in engagement with the walls of the toggle lever groove 188throughout the movement of the slide 64.

The iirst cam means is mounted on the rst shaft 50 when the mode of feedmechanism operation depicted by the line 77 on the chart of FIG. 3 isdesired.Y Sm'd cam means is illustrated in FIG. 7 and comprises a disccam 19t) having an annular groove 192 formed in a radial face thereof.The annular groove 192 receives a cam roller 194 which is rotatablysupported on the upper end f the lever 173. Two radially offset sections196 and 198 of the cam groove 192 cause the cam roller 194 to bereciprocated horizontally as the cam rotates with the shaft 5t). Thehorizontal reciprocation of the cam roller 1%, in turn, effectsoscillation of the lever 178 about its pivot and this movement istransmitted by the toggle lever 164, the floating toggle link 166, andthe slide member 152 to the upper wire gripping member 144.

ln FIG. 7 the cam 196- is shown angularly positioned so that the camroller- 194- carried by the lever 178 is disposed in the groove section198 of larger radius. The positions of the lever 178, the toggle lever164, the floating link 166, and the T-shaped slide member 152 thuseifected maintain the movable gripping member 144 in its downward andwire gripping position. When the cam is rotated so that the roller 194enters the groove section 196, said levers, link and member are moved tocause the gripping member 144 to release the wire. The angular positionof the cam 19t? on the shaft 541 is established so that the wire will begripped substantially simultaneously with the commencement of eachforward movement of the slide 64- and released substantiallysimultaneously with the commencement of each rearward slide movement.Thus, it will be seen that the cam 19t) will cause the gripping device66 to effect wire feeding during all forward movements of the slide 64when said slide is reciprocated once during each machine cycle.

In order that the cam 191B may be readily mounted on the shaft 5t) andreadily detached therefrom, said cam *3 is preferably formed in twohalf-sections. As best illustrated in FlG. 4, each cam half-section isprovided with a hub half-section and the hub half-sections are adaptedto be bolted together on the shaft d. One of a pair of similar bolts199, l99 provided for holding the cam halfsections together on the shaftSfr is shown in FlG. 4.

When it is desired to effect feed mechanism operation in accordance withthe line 79 on the chart of FlG. 3, the two-to-one ratio gears 9d and 96are mounted respectively on the adjacent exposed ends of the shafts Stiand '76 and the cam i9@ is replaced on the shaft Si) by the second cammeans. Said second cam means comprises a disc cam 2G45 illustrated inFlG. 8. The cam 2nd is of half-section construction similar to theconstruction of the cam E96. An annular groove 2% formed in said cam issimilar to the groove 192 in the actuating cam but is radially offset at90 intervals, opposite quadrants of said cam groove being at equalradial distances. lt will be seen that as the cam 2M is rotated by theshaft 5ft, it will alternately effect gripping and releasing operationof the wire gripping device `tid at 90 intervals. Thus, wire feedingwill be effected during all forward iovements of the slide d4 and thetwo-part 180 feed operation will be provided.

The third cam means comprises a disc cam which is similar inconstruction to the cams i915 and The cam 268 is illustrated in FIG. 9and is adapted to be mounted on the shaft 5G when the gears 9d and 95are mounted respectively on the exposed ends of the shafts Sl and 76 toeffect the mode of feed mechanism operation depicted by the line Si onthe chart of FlG. 3. An annular groove 2i@ formed in the face of the cam2id-S is radially enlarged through 93. It will be seen that the radiallyenlarged 90 portion of the cam groove will effect wire gripping actionof the gripping device 66 during every other forward slide movement orduring one forward slide movement during each machine cycle.

As shown, the feed mechanism on also includes .a wire holding device andactuating means therefor, the pro- Vision of said device and actuatingmeans, however, being optional. When the wire holding device and theactuating means are provided, the `actuating means is preferably drivenby the rst rotatable shaft 5h and is adapted to operate the holdingdevice to prevent wire movement when wire feeding is not in process.Thus, if the wire gripping device o6 fails to properly release the wireupon completion of a wire feeding stroke of the slide ed, the wire isnevertheless held stationary during rearward movement of the slide andthe desired forming operation may be effectively performed.

A plunger 2li of the wire holding device is adapted to selectivelyengage the wire at its lower end and urge the same against a bearingplate 2312 so as to positively prevent wire movement. rfhe plunger 2li,is movable vertically in upper and lower guides 2l3 and 2id `as bestillustrated in FIG. 4. The upper guide 2i?, is formed on the housing 86and the lower guide 2M is formed on a longitudinally elongated framemember ZES. The member 215 is disposed in a longitudinal slot 2id formedin the lower portion of the frame member 93, as best illustrated inFlGS. 2 and 5. The frame member ZiS is secured to the frame member 93 bytwo of the .aforementioned screws 99', 99.

A spring 217 which embraces a lower portion of the plunger 2li is seatedat its lower end on the lower guide 2M. The upper end of the spring 21'7engages a collar 28 which is fixedly secured on the plunger 2li. wherebyto bias the plunger upwardly and out of engagement with wire extendingacross the bearing plate 2312.

The actuating means for the wire holding device preferably comprises cammeans adapted to be mounted on the first shaft Si) and operable. toimpart vertical movement to the plunger Zlll in timed relation withmovement of the reciprocable slide 64 and with the operation of the wiregripping device 66. As shown, the plunger 2li is connected at its upperend with one end of a lever 219. The other end of the lever 2l9 ispivotally connected to an upper portion of the frame member 93 by a pin224i as best illustrated in FIG. 5. Between the ends of the lever 219, apin 22E supports a cam roller 222. The cam roller 222 is displacedvertically by the cam .means mounted on the shaft St and the lever 219is thereby oscillated about the pin 224i'. Oscillation of the lever 219about its pivot causes the plunger 211 to be moved vertically into andout of engagement with wire extending across the bearing plate 212.

The cam means for actuating the hold down device may take various formswithin the scope of the invention, but said means preferably comprisesfirst, second and third disc cams 224, 226 and 223. Each of the disccams is provided with Ia cam surface at its circumference for engagingthe cam roller 222 supported on the lever 219. The first cam 22d` isshown mounted on the shaft 5t) in the drawings. As best illustrated inFIG.. 5, said cam has a radially enlarged portion 230 formed at itscircumference for urging the cam roller 222 downwardly and causing theplunger 2H to engage and hold the wire. The second cam 226 is also shownmounted on the first rotatable shaft Sil in the drawings and is disposedadjacent the cam 224 so that the roller 222 is engaged by thecircumferential surfaces of both of said cams. A i" radially enlargedportion 232 is formed at the circumference of the cam 226 for urging thecam roller 222 downwardly and causing the plunger 211 to engage and holdthe wire. The third actuating cam 22S for the wire holding device isshown in FIGS. l()` and l1 of the drawings separate from the feedmechanism. The. cam 228 is provi-ded with a 99 radially enlarged portion234 at its circumference as is the first cam 224.

lt is presently contemplated that the first actuating cam 224 for thewire holding device will be mounted on the shaft 5d throughout operationof the feed mechanism. rlfhe second and third cams 226 and 228, on theother hand, will be mounted selectively on the shaft 50 for `actuatingthe holding device in cooperation with said first cam. Thus, the firstcam 224 is of unitary construction while the second and third cams 226and 228 are each constructed in two half-sections so that. they may bereadily mounted on the shaft 56 and removed therefrom.

The first cam 224i has an integrally formed hub 236 which is suitablybored to receive a plurality of set screws 23S, 238, two of which screwsare shown. By means of said screws, the cam may be secured in a selectedangular position on the shaft Sil for rotation therewith. Thehalf-sections of the second and third cams 226 and 228 are adapte-d tobe bolted together on the shaft 50' and thus secured thereto in aselected angular position for rotation therewith. Countersunlr openingsin a hub halfsec tion 24d formed integrally on each of said camhalfsections receive bolts 242, 242, one of which is shown.

The rst and second actuating cams 224 and 226 which are shown in thedrawings mounted in adjacent relationship on the shaft 50 may be.adapted to actuate the wire holding device for the 180 wire feedingoperation shown by the operation chart line 77 or for the 90 wire feed*ing operation shown by the line El on said chart. When the change cears92, 92 and the gripping device actuating cam 29d are operativelyconnected with the other feed mechanism components to provide the 180wire feeding operation, the first and second cams 224 and 226 arerespectively angularly positioned on the shaft Sil so that the radialenlargements 230 and 232 thereon are superimposed when viewed along theaXis of the cams. Said cams are shown so related in FIG. 5. It will beapparent that when the cams 224- and 226 are positioned in such manner,they will actuate the plunger 211 of the Wire holding device to hold thewire during one-half of each rotation of the shaft 5l) and to permitfree wire movement during the remaining half-portion of each rotation ofsaid shaft.

When the change gears 94 and 96 and the gripping device actuating cam208 are operatively connected with the other feed mechanism componentsto provide the 90 wire feeding operation, the cams 221i and 226 areangularly positioned respectively on the shaft 50 so that their radiallyenlarged portions 230 and 232 are arranged in end-toend relationship.The plunger 211 will then be urged downwardly to hold the wire duringthe 270 portion of each rotation of the shaft 50 on each machine cyclewhen wire feeding is not in process.

When it is desired that the holding device be actuated to hold the wireduring two spaced apart 90 portions of the machine cycle, as required bythe wireI feeding operation provided by the change gears 94 and 96 andthe gripping device actuating cam 204, the second cam 226 is removedfrom the shaft 50 and replaced thereon b-y the third cam 228. The cams224 and 223 are angularly positioned respectively on the shaft 50 sothat their 90 radially enlarged portions -are diametrically oppositeeach other. It will be seen that with the cams so related, the plunger211 of the wire holding device will be actuated to hold the wire duringthe two 90 portions of each cycle when feeding thereof is not in processand to permit the free movement of the wire during the two 90 portionsof each cycle when feeding thereof is in process.

From the foregoing it will ybe apparent that with the improved feedmechanism of the present invention, a conversion from one mode ofmechanism operation to another may be -accomplished readily and with aminimum loss of forming machine operating time. It is expected that the180 and the 90 wire feeding operations will be used most frequently. Toconvert from one of these operational modes to the other, the changegears are interchanged, the gripping device actuating cams 190 and 208are interchanged and the angular position of one of the holding deviceactuating cams 224 or 226 is suitably adjusted on the shaft 50. When thethird mode of feed mechanism operation (two spaced apart 90 wire feedingoperations) is involved in a conversion, the holding device actuatingcams 226 and 228 must be interchanged as an additional step. This,however, is not found burdensome from a time or convenience standpointparticularly in View of the infrequent demand for this rnode ofoperation.

The method of removal of the feed mechanism from the forming machine issuggested by the above description. To remove the mechanism in two partsthe two principal members 80 and 93 0f the feed mechanism frame whichsupport all of the component parts of said mechanism are detached andremoved from the main machine frame separately. To remove the framemember 80, the change gears are removed from the shafts 50 and 76, thelever 68 is disconnected from said frame member as by removing the pin112, and the screws 91, 91 are rctracted from the machine frame. Themember 80 and its connected parts is then removed from the machine byeffecting relative longitudinal movement between said member and themain frame 19 of the machine.

After removal of the frame member 80 and its connected parts, the framemember 93 may be removed from the forming machine by retracting thescrews 99, 99 from the machine frame 19 and sliding said memberleftwardly to remove the longitudinal T-shaped bars 97, 97 from theslots 95, 95 in said machine frame. It will be noted that when the framemember 93 is so removed, the roller 194 will slide leftwardly out of thegroove in the gripping device actuating cam which is mounted on theshaft 50. The said cam and the holding device cam mounted on the shaft50 may be readily removed from said shaft as described above.

Alternatively the feed mechanism may be removed from the forming machineas a unitary assembly, the two frame members Si) and 93 being removedfrom the machine simultaneously with the parts respectively supported byeach member operatively connected thereto as shown in the drawings,Since the parts are more easily handled, however, the two-part method ofremoval of the mechanism is preferred.

The invention claimed is:

l. A wire forming machine comprising a mechanism operable in fixedcycles and adapted for forming wire, a first longitudinally extendingrotatable shaft having one end connected with the Wire forming mechanismto make one rotation during each cycle and having the other end exposed,a second longitudinally extending rotatable shaft parallel with saidfirst shaft and having an end exposed adjacent the exposed end of saidfirst shaft, change gears of the spur type for connecting said first andsecond shafts in exposed positions at said adjacent exposed shaft endsand adapted selectively to effect either one rotation or an integralplurality of rotations of said second shaft during each rotation of saidfirst shaft, a transversely extending rotatable shaft having a bevelgear connection with said second shaft and rotating once during eachrotation of said second shaft, a cranlf` connected to and driven by saidtransversely extending shaft, a pivotally supported lever connected withsaid crank and oscillated thereby, a longitudinally reciprocable slideconnected with and driven by said lever and making one forward andrearward reciprocation during each rotation of said second shaft wherebyto make one reciprocation or an integral plurality of reciprocationsduring each cycle, a wire gripping device carried by said slide andinoperable during each rearward slide movement, and actuating meansdriven by said first shaft for causing said gripping device to beoperable to effect wire feeding during at least one forward slidemovement within each cycle.

2. A wire forming machine comprising a mechanism operable in fixedcycles and adapted for forming wire, a rst longitudinally extendingrotatable shaft having one end connected with the Wire forming mechanismso as to make one rotation during each cycle thereof and having theother end exposed, a second longitudinally extending rotatable shaftparallel with said first shaft and having an end exposed adjacent theexposed end of said first shaft, change gears for connecting said shaftscomprising first and second companion spur gears adapted to bedetachably mounted respectively in exposed positions on the adjacentexposed ends of said shafts to effect one rotation of said second shaftfor each rotation of said first shaft, said change gears also comprisingthird and fourth companion spur gears adapted to be detachably mountedrespectively on the adjacent exposed ends of said shafts in place ofsaid first and second gears to effect two rotations of said second shaftfor each rotation of said first shaft, a transversely extendingrotatable shaft having a bevel gear connection with said second shaftand rotating once during each rotation of said second shaft, a crankconnected to and driven in a longitudinal plane by said transverselyextending shaft, a pivotally supported lever connected with said crankand oscillated in a longitudinal plane thereby, a longitudinallyreciprocable slide connected with and driven by said lever and makingone forward and rearward reciprocation during each rotation of saidsecond shaft whereby to make one or two reciprocations during eachcycle, a wire gripping device carried by said slide and inoperableduring each rearward slide movement, and actuating means driven by saidfirst shaft for Causing said gripping device to be operable during oneforward slide movement within each machine cycle whereby to effect wirefeeding within a or a 90 portion of each cycle.

3. A wire forming machine comprising a mechanism operable in fixedcycles and adapted for forming wire, a first longitudinally extendingrotatable shaft having one end connected with the wire forming mechanismto make one rotation `during each cycle and having the other endexposed, a second longitudinally extending shaft parallel with saidfirst shaft and having an end exposed adjacent the exposed end of saidfirst shaft, change gears of the spur type for connecting said first andsecond shafts in exposed positions at said adjacent exposed shaft endsand adapted selectviely to effect either one rotation or an integralplurality of rotations of said second shaft during each rotation of saidfirst shaft, a transversely extending rotatable shaft having a bevelgear connection with said second shaft and rotating once during eachrotation of said second shaft, a crank connected to and driven in alongitudinal plane by said transversely extending shaft, a pivotallysupported lever connected with said crank and oscillated in alongitudinal plane thereby, a longitudinally reciprocable slideconnected with and driven by said lever and making one forward andrearward reciprocation during each rotation of said second shaft`whereby to make one reciprocation or an integral plurality ofreciprocations during each cycle, a wire gripping device carried by saidslide and inoperable during each rearward slide movement, actuatingmeans driven by said first shaft for causing said gripping device to beoperable to effect wire feeding during at least one forward slidemovement within each cycle, a wire holding device, and actuating meansdriven by said first shaft for causing said wire holding device to beoperable to prevent wire movement when wire feeding is not in process.

4. A wire forming machine comprising a mechanism operable in fixedcycles `and adapted for forming wire, a first longitudinal rotatableshaft `having one end connected with the wire forming mechanism to makeone rotation during each cycle and having the other end exposed, asecond longitudinal rotatable shaft parallel with said first shaft andhaving an end exposed adjacent the exposed end of said first shaft,change gears of the spur type for connecting said first and secondshafts in exposed positions at said adjacent exposed shaft ends andadapted selectively to effect either one or two rotations of said secondshaft during each rotation of said first shaft, a transversely extendingrotatable shaft having `a bevel gear connection with said second shaftand rotating once during each rotation of said second shaft, a crankconnected to and driven in a longitudinal plane by said transverselyextending shaft, a pivotally supported lever connected with said crankand oscillated in a longitudinal plane thereby, a longitudinallyreciprocable slide connected with and driven by said lever and makingone forward and rearward reciprocation during each rotation of saidsecond shaft whereby to make one or two reciprocations during eachcycle, a wire gripping device carried by said slide and inoperableduring each rearward slide movement, and actuating means for said wiregripping device comprising a first cam means adapted to lbe detachablymounted on said first shaft and to cause said gripping device to beoperable to eiiect wire feeding during all forward slide movements whensaid slide is reciprocated once during each cycle, said actuating meansalso comprising a second cam means adapted to be detachably mounted onsaid first shaft and to cause said gripping device to he operable toeffect wire feeding during all forward slide movements when said slideis reciproca-ted twice during each cycle, and said means also comprisinga third cam `means adapted to be detachably mounted on said first shaftand to cause said gripping device to be operable to effect wire feedingduring alternate forward slide movements when said slide is reciprocatedtwice during each cycle.

5. A wire forming machine comprising a mechanism operable in fixedcycles and adapted `for forming wire, a main machine frame supportingsaid wire forming mechanism, a secondary frame detachably connected toand supported -on said main frame, a first longitudinal rotatable shafthaving one end connected to said wire forming mechanism so as to makeone rotation during each cycle and having -the other end exposed, asecond longitudinal rotatable shaft supported on said secondary frameparallel with said first shaft and having `an end exposed adjacent theexposed end of said first shaft,

change gears of the spur type for connecting said first and secondshafts in exposed positions at said adjacent exposed shaft ends andadapted selectively to effect either one rotation or an integralplurality or" rotations of said second shaft during each rotation ofsaid first shaft, a transversely extending rotatable shaft on saidsecondary frame having a bevel gear connection with said second shaftand rotating once during each rotation of said second shaft, a crankconnected to and driven in a longitudinal plane by said transverselyextending shaft, a pivotally supported lever on said secondary `frameconnected with said crank and oscillated in a longitudinal planethereby, a longitudinally reciprocable slide on said secondary frameconnected with and driven by said lever and making one forward andrearward reciprocation during each rotation of said second shaft wherebyto make one reciprocation or an integral plurality of reciprocationsduring each cycle, a wire gripping device carried by said slide andinoperable during each rearward slide movement, and actuating meanssupported on said secondary frame and driven by said first shaft forcausing said gripping device to be operable to effect wire feedingduring at least one `forward slide movement within each cycle.

6. A wire forming machine comprising a mechanism operable in fixedcycles and adapted for forming wire, a first longitudinally extendingrotatable shaft having one end connected with the wire forming mechanismso as to make one rotation during each cycle thereof and having theother end exposed, a second longitudinally extending rotatable shaftparallel with said first shaft and having an end exposed adjacent theexposed end of said first shaft, change gears for connecting said shaftscomprising first and second companion spur gears adapted to bedetachably mounted respectively in exposed positions on the adjacentexposed ends of said shafts to effect one rotation of said second shaftfor each rotation of said first shaft, said change gears also comprisingthind and fourth companion spur gears adapted to be detachably mountedrespectively on the adjacent exposed ends of said first and secondshafts in place of said first and second gears 'to effect two rotationsof said second shaft for each rotation of said first shaft, atransversely extending rotatable shaft having a `bevel gear connectionwith said second shaft and rotating once during each rotation of saidsecond shaft, a crank connected to and driven in a longitudinal plane bysaid transversely extending shaft, a pivotally supported lever connectedwith said crank and oscillated in a longitudinal plane thereby, alongitudinally reciprocable slide conected with and driven by said leverand making one forward and rearward reciprocation during each rotationof said second shaft whereby to make one or two reciprocations duringeach cycle, a wire gripping device carried by said slide and inoperableduring each rearward slide movement, and actuating means for said wiregripping device comprising a rst cam means adapted to be detachablymounted on said first shaft and to cause said gripping device to beoperable to effect wire feeding during all forward slide movements whensaid slide is reciprocated once during each cycle, said actuating meansalso comprising a second cam means adapted to be detachably mounted onsaid first shaft in place of said first cam means and to cause saidgripping device to be operable to effect wire feeding during all forwardslide movements when said slide is reciprocated twice during each cycle,and said actuating means also 'comprising Ia third cam means adapted tobe detachably mounted on said first shaft in place of said first orsecond cam means and to cause said gripping device to be operable toeffect wire feeding during alternate forward slide movements when saidslide is reciprocated twice during each cycle.

(References on following page) References Cited in the le of this patentUNlTED STATES PATENTS Norton Mar. 8, 1892 Norton May 15, 1894 Lewis May26, 1914 Olson June 2l, 1921 16 Emmons Oct. 4, 1932 Borton Oct. 18, 1932Bouillon July 30, 1935 Powers Apr. 28, 1959 FOREIGN PATENTS Germany Aug.30, 1954 l

